Birth Anniversary of Nanaji Deshmukh

• 16 Oct 2024

Source: PIB

Recently, the Prime Minister of India paid tribute to Bharat Ratna Nanaji Deshmukh on his birth anniversary.

• About: 
  • Nanaji Deshmukh was born on 11th October 1916 in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district. 
  • He was a social reformer and politician who focused on education, healthcare, and promoting rural self-reliance. 
• Ideology:  
  • He was inspired by Lokamanya Tilak's nationalist ideology and Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, the founding head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). 
• Key Works: 
  • Actively involved in social reform with a focus on health, education, and rural self-reliance. 
  • Established Chitrakoot Gramoday Vishwavidyalaya, India's first rural university, and served as its Chancellor. 
  • Made significant contributions to anti-poverty initiatives and minimum needs programs. 
  • He was instrumental in shaping the Janata Party. 
  • Elected as a Member of Parliament in the 1977 Lok Sabha election from Balrampur (UP). 
  • Nominated to Rajya Sabha in 1999 in recognition of his national service. 
• Death and Awards: 
  • He died on 27^th February 2010. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 1999 and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019. 

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